The Republican journal., 1887-10-27
Letter from Los Angeles.

Ia private letter from Prof. \. 4. Drury to
Prof. l.. G. l}ateman.
Los ANGELES, CAL, Sept q, 1887. ! pre-
sumo your wife has informed you long before
this of my departure for the Pacific coast: so
think ! can say have got up and busted for
the far west And now after five weeks Iiv-
ing, travelling and observing l will tell you
what think of Southern California; But
first I will tell YOU how happened to come
here. just after you left on your tour, an old
friend Of mine who Is in business in this city
and lives, or did live in Belfast, was there on
visit. lie told me of this country lis he saw
1t; of its probable future, as well rs its present
growth and prosperity. and said: eff you are
ever going to California, 90 now" Well, cir
cunStanrcs never favored me better in every
way; in the settlement of business. aIl we'll at
home, and ready finance; and so | said: "All
right: will 60" and on the 23l of August we
arrived in this city of the Lost Angels. Since
that time have been hard at work with eyes.
and ears, and somewhat with hand and muscle,
and will tell you how it seems Now cali-
not tell you Of the climate from the experience
Of actual residence. but those who have spent
years here tell me there are no gales. not even
| line gales: no cyclones, hurricanes or biz
yards; no severe winters, with chilling cold or
drifting SHOWS, and that the rainy season is
milier here than at any part of the Pacific
coast. The country is varied, from the high
peaks of the Sierra Madre range to rolling hill
locks and broad prairie valleys, with a soil
that it would seem cannot he cXceed in the
known world for fertility. You can judge
what the result must he for agriculture Add
to this in your mind, that all the productions
CT the temperate zones are cultivated in pro-
fusion. and nearly all of the tropical. and you
realize. il have not exaggerated. ard feel |
have not. the climate and agricultural products
of southern California.
We'll. row for this city, its growth. and some
OF the other towns worthy Of mention that
have come to prominence and are rapidly
growing. Los Angeles has grown in five Years
from $4,000 to 10000 inhabitants. and is said
low 10 he increasing faster than ever. 1t has
al the facilities for transportation within its
limits, horse railroads, dummy roads and cleo
tric roads, and is lighted by electricitv The
lights are diifllSed from poles $50 feet high
The light Is sent downward and out by rctlec-
tors. There are also Very many Others on the
streets. in hotel, and private residences This
will give ycu an idea of how it looks al night.
OF other places, Pasadena, seven miles away,
is prominent for the reason that five wears ayo
where it now stands was q pasture that coultl
be bought very cheap. Now there is Il city Of
over $500; and the place is growing very rap
,+;,i, 10. L. / |
tlcnccs and a profllSion of gardens. orchards,
Ne. There are miles of paved walks. gas
works, horse railroads. and water pipel en-
tcnsiyely throughout the city and suburbs.
NonrONia. where i months ago stood only two
farm houses is to-day an extensive village
with gorgeous residences. granite blocks bank
ing houses hotels. extensive stores, Ne. Sc. |
might 90 Oh and tell you of many more places,
bat this is a sample of the growth Of this coul-
Try. The way tourists and settlers are coming
would atonish YOU. The result is land spcc,l-
lation OH every hand, IN ranches, farms and
lots. Immense ranches are sold and Subdivi,l-
ed. maxim" homes for hundreds instead of the
few. There isa steady advance all the time.
until here in Los Angeles, which bids fair TO
almost fabulous figures particularly in the
business centre. The result of this influx is TO
promote building, which is very active on
every hand. I.aborcrS get from &l50 to 81 30
per day: carpenters from IS to $50 per DAY.
for hours. and hrickIaycr> and l,lastercrs &c
for the same humber of hours. 1t is said that
none need he idle.
IA tnl hat 4,
latils would he nothing strange, for thcy are.
and many Of them, The friend | came cut
with, came here in just the right time. He had
means and the advances on What he has would
90 above $4,000, and he feels that soon will
reach 500 900. And so the great work goes
on. Ii | had the means to invest. | have the
advantage of good counsel. but had but lit lie
means after arriving here, and set myself to
work to find something to do. For YOU must
know am DESTROYS of changing my career and
much more so since arrived here.
Your townsman, Barker is in Pasadena. He
was here last year, and invested in land which
has been steadily advancing and understand
he ha, made Il very handsome thing of it..
What terrible pity his son has turned out 50
badly. l have not seen him or his wife. but
have seen some that have and they say she
takes it very. very hard. Certainly She must.
for it would be pleasure to hear of his DEATH
rather than his guilt of such a hciious crime.
| have told YOU 50 much of business.
will add that | am told money lets for from
10 to u percent. net. and securities that pay
sand 10 per cent. are pl cnty for investment.
a. \. DRURY.
Met in Hong Kong.